Monday, August 29, 2011

Any guys out there wanting to read a book that is specifically geared for males? I have one for you! "Playing Hurt: a guy's strategy for a winning marriage" by Brian Goins is one to read! Filled with sports analogies and stories, Goins knows how to relate with other males and say the right things to hook them into the book and keep them reading! Marriage is such an intimate relationship with a person you love and care about deeply; however it is a relationship that can also be hurtful and create deep wounds leading to several giving up on the marriage. Goins is pushing for men to stay strong and work through the hurt and stay in the marriage and come out winning just as a hurt athlete would try to do. While my husband has not had a chance to read the entire book, he did enjoy the part that he has read and was immediately pulled into the book and willing to give it a chance when Goins started with replays from different sporting events, as this is his "language." Goins has included thought-provoking questions and he is very straight-forward in his approach and writing making this a winner!

*Thanks to Litfuse Publicity Group for a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for a honest review*

To read what other bloggers think go here!: http://litfusegroup.com/blogtours/text/13375058

What the publisher says about Goins' book!:

About Playing Hurt:

A marriage book that husbands will actually want to read!

Everyone admires people who play hurt, from the superstar athlete to the journeyman player who finishes the game even when hurt, sick, or falling apart. Everyone looks up to these athletes and wants to mimic their “never give up” attitude. Except when it comes to marriage. Most husbands are willing to take a bullet for their wives in a life-and-death situation; but when his bride fires the bullet--hurls an insult, disrespects him in public, ignores his foreplay in private--he’d rather throw in the towel than play through the pain.

Playing Hurt is a biblical playbook for marriage that speaks in the language most men understand—the language of sports. Using a sports analogy to explain the motivation, means, and methods of playing hurt, author Brian Goins shows men how to overcome the temptation to stay on the bench. Playing Hurt is more about inspiration than instruction. It’s about finding the motivation to stay in the game, despite the pain. It’s about becoming like the One who knew more about nails and thorns than any superstar athlete. Using Ephesians 5 as a biblical basis, this book will call husbands to be the heroes they long to be--men who play hurt in order to win at marriage.

About the author: Brian Goins is the author or editor of numerous study guides, workbooks, and Bible studies that he has developed for Insight for Living (Chuck Swindoll) and Walk Through the Bible. When he’s not traveling across the country as a Family Life Weekend to Remember speaker, he and his family reside in North Carolina.

Saturday, August 27, 2011

Suzanne Woods Fisher has complied lessons and story to help readers learn from a group of people leading a simple, yet fulfilling life in her book, "Amish Values for Your Family." Each chapter is a short story containing a lesson that highlights a value of the Amish, for example, spending time with your children, building something instead of buying it for the benefits of teaching your child while working on the project and what activities are we investing our time in and what are we wasting our time with. These are following with a road map section which consists of a few paragraphs providing pointers as to how to get from where you are currently at to where you want to be. There are also quotes shared in here directly from various members of Amish communities.

I found this book to be very interesting! I loved reading the various stories and lessons and I have always been fascinated by the Amish culture. Fisher's work really will help readers to be able to weave bits and pieces of the Amish culture in their English lives without going Amish! One lesson that I appreciated was the fact that time is so precious and to really make time for my kids and spend time interacting with them. Spending time together reading a story, making cookies together, taking a walk all result in spending quality time together, creating memories that will never be forgotten and being able to be a positive role model for them. I encourage readers to read this book as it will make you reconsider areas of your life.

“Available August 2011 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

I have been a fan of Sarah Sundin ever since I first started her first book in the Wings of Glory series and her latest novel, "Blue Skies Tomorrow," the third book in the Wings of Glory series is her best yet! Set during World War II, "Blue Skies Tomorrow" focuses on Raymond Novak, but his 2 brothers, the main characters in her previous two books play prominent roles as well.

Raymond wants to be a preacher just like his father, yet he feels pressured to do something and be a hero during the war instead of just taking the "safe route." Helen Carlisle who has lost her husband in the war is facing her own challenges with putting on a front to the townspeople as her heart really is not grieving for her husband as everyone would expect her to. However, no one knows Helen's secret and what her life was really like with her husband, that is no one knows until she begins to open her heart to Raymond. Separately and together Raymond and Helen are dealing with struggles in their own hearts and lives. Raymond is transferred within the military and placed in imminent danger and Helen finds herself in danger at home and also at work. Together and with the help of Raymond's family these two find happiness and peace in all areas of their lives.

This book is well-written and a great account of life during World War II. I love how Sundin builds upon the previous 2 stories involving the Novak boys and I felt like I got to know the whole family so much better and not just the main characters. Helen and Raymond are both characters who the readers can easily identify and empathize with. The home issues that Helen deals with are unfortuately very real for many people today. I liked that the details and situation were not glossed over, but dealt with highlighting Helen's emotions and strength and relying on others for help and guidance as well. The book concluded nicely as well as it tied up the stories of all three Novak boys nicely. I have enjoyed this series and look forward to other series hopefully from Sundin!

"Available August 2001 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group."

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

I just received a copy of "100 Read & Sing Devotions" created by Stephen Elkins in the mail today and already have listened to the 2 included cds with my children and read many of the devotions! Tim O'Connor's illustrations are beautiful and really caught the attention of my three year-old! Each devotion is short enough to keep a young child's attention, and gets across a clear, strong message in a small amount of words. There is a song that corresponds with the devotions to reinforce the Biblical truth as well. There is a nice variety as well as there is a devotion focusing on The Lord's Prayer, one on being trained to be a child of God to one about Noah's ark and Samson's strength. This is a great addition for any young child's library and would make a beautiful gift!

*I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for a honest review.*

Friday, August 19, 2011

"Abe's Lucky Day" written by Jill Warren is a valuable, new resource to be used with children! Abe is a homeless man who has very little, and yet he sees others who need help more than he does. For example, Abe has a box and he is going to sleep in it, but he sees a little girl and gives it to her for her to sleep in. Then suddenly Abe is noticed by a man and he is offered a home and a job making this his lucky day!

This is a cute story that is written so that children can enjoy it, but also learn from it. It is a great way to teach children to think about others and try to help those in need. It would have been so easy for Abe to keep each of the things he gave away for himself as he was in need as well, but he did not, he put others first. The illustrations are beautiful and my children love looking at them and telling the story by looking at the pictures. This is a great lesson that can be taught through reading this book and I will read it several times with my own children, but also use it with the children I work with. I highly recommend this for parents and anyone working with children.

*I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for a honest review.*

Taking place in Kentucky during the 1770's you are in for a historical experience while reading Laura Frantz's "The Colonel's Lady." The frontier is a wild and dangerous place, and it becomes even more wild and dangerous when Roxanna arrives and learns that her father has been killed. Unable to afford to leave, Roxanna takes over her father's position working for the Colonel. However, this is just not a Colonel, this is a man who promised Roxanna's father that he would watch out for her; however the chemistry that is between them is stronger than that. Roxanna has suffered through the deaths of her parents and having her fiancee leave her for another woman and she is hesitant around the Colonel as she has heard that he has a lady back in Ireland. Will Roxanna and her heart be safe and will she trust God?

This is the third book that I have read by Laura Frantz and I think this is my favorite out of the three! The characters are so real and well-developed and full of emotion! Frantz does a wonderful job at describing the frontier and creating vivid images transporting the reader back in time. This story is filled with romance, intrigue and struggles that we still deal with today creating a wonderful read!

"Available August 2011 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group."

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Brennan Manning and John Blase have created an adorable story that discusses God's love for His children in "Smack Dab in the Middle of God's Love." The main characters do not have children of their own yet they always have children in their home and share their love with others. God's love is portrayed through this wonderful couple. I love the Mexican heritage that is alive in this book as this is an eye opener for my children and is a great discussion starter. The illustrations are beautiful and add a lot to the story.

*I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for a honest review.*

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Kim Cash Tate has written a great follow up novel to her novel "Faithful." "Cherished" continues on with the story of 3 main characters and ties in characters from her previous novel. Tate dives right into the story and quickly draws the reader into the story by beginning with a beautiful and moving event - a wedding and a emotional moment for Kelli as she is sharing a song that she wrote during a significant time in her life. Kelli and Heather, although very different individuals, become close friends and are really seeking the same thing - unconditional love and finding their own true worth.

Everyone wants to be loved and cherished just as Kelli and Heather. This is such a great woman's fiction book as each and every woman can relate to their personal and relational struggles. This book is well-written and Tate's style of writing is easy and enjoyable to read, making this a quick read, but also a book that pulls the reader in quickly and really make the reader reflect on her own life.

*I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for a honest review.*

About Me

I have been married for 8 years and we have a 4 year-old daughter and 2 year-old son whom are both full of energy and fun! I work as a social worker with at-risk children and their families. I enjoy reading and reviewing books as a way to "unwind" and relax.